GILLETTE, Wyo. — At their meeting on Tuesday, the Campbell County commissioners recognized long-serving employees, approved grant applications, and awarded project bids.
The Employee Recognition Committee recognized six employees for their years of service. Stephanie Stevens, custodian Katrina Larsen, and Deputy Sheriffs Dennis Brown and Kyle Rhoades have all been recognized for the past decade.
Kelly Hubbard, public health nurse manager, and Dwayne Dillinger, executive director for Parks and Recreation, were recognized for their 35 years of service.
Toni Brown of Wreaths Across America also requested a proclamation for the group’s ceremony on December 13. The group plans to place over 1,500 wreaths in cemeteries throughout the county.
Brown requested that the proclamation cover the entire week to allow enough time for placement. Wreath sponsorships must be submitted before Thanksgiving.
During the meeting, commissioners approved a number of grant applications.
Rockpile Museum Director Robert Henning has received approval to apply for a $25,000 Wyoming 250 grant for a new exhibit titled “Powering America: Energy in the Powder River Basin.” The project’s total cost is estimated to be $61,500, with the county contributing $36,500 from its existing budget.
A large portion of the cost is for a mining simulator, which the museum will fund with donations from local mines, according to Henning.
The board also approved the library’s application for a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant with no local match. The money would be used to buy 150 new, lighter chairs for the Wyoming Room, replacing heavier ones that are difficult for staff and customers to move.
The Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport was approved to apply for an Airport NAVAID Maintenance Grant of up to $18,793. The grant covers 70% of the cost of maintaining the airport’s non-federal navigational aids. The airport budget for fiscal year 2026 includes the county’s required 30% match of up to $8,055.
The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office has received approval for three State Homeland Security Grant Program applications. The largest, at $344,971, will upgrade the bomb squad’s equipment.
According to Kevin Theis of the Sheriff’s Office, much of the current equipment is 20 years old and obsolete. The money will go toward a new bomb suit, a smaller robot for confined spaces, and technology to detect suspicious powders. The bomb squad serves five counties: Campbell, Crook, Weston, Johnson, and Sheridan.
A second $7,895 grant will fund a new crisis response phone system to replace an outdated model. The final approval was for a $31,065 grant to purchase ten more ballistic shields.
Lt. Dan Maul stated that the shields would supplement two already acquired through a previous grant, allowing one to be placed in each vehicle of the special response unit.
In other business, the commission approved several bids for county projects and equipment.
The board approved Fremont Riverton’s $58,022 bid for a 2025 GMC 1500 half-ton crew cab pickup, as presented by Fleet Manager Tony Langone.
Dakota Pump LLC was also awarded a $299,999 bid by the commissioners for a sewer lift station at the Pronghorn Industrial Park. Public Works Director Michael Moore stated that, despite receiving a lower bid, Dakota Pump agreed to a liquidated damages clause in order to meet the project’s strict completion deadline of July 15, 2026.
The board also approved two bids submitted by Facilities Manager Bill Beastrom. The first was a $75,150.38 bid from Wyoming Rents for a 50-foot towable boom lift. The second was a $431,087.50 bid to Falcon Construction LLC for the Wright Branch Library foundation repair project, which was set to begin in October.
Commissioners approved two administrative items, including the annual $59,734 Emergency Management Performance Grant application, which calls for a 50% county match to fund the emergency management program. The grant will be administered through a contract with the Campbell County Fire Department.
Commissioners also approved a two-year contract amendment for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, increasing funding by $95,000 to $190,000 for community case management and treatment services.
